Meet Sharonda
it’s not always what it looks like …
Hidden behind her bright smile are the memories of growing up as only child to a single mother who endured abusive relationships, and the struggles of identifying healthy relationships in which to place her trust. Early in her childhood, the life Sharonda knew as loving and secure was drastically changed as she was uprooted in the middle of the night from the place she called home. Although it was her mom’s attempt to escape the horrors she lived at the hands of her live-in boyfriend, Sharonda did not understand why they had to leave everything behind.
As a child, Sharonda grappled with feeling secure and overcoming issues of abandonment caused by her mom being transient presence in her life. Growing up on government assistance, she learned to appreciate what she was given and relied on her creativity to brighten the many dark moments she endured.
Sharonda excelled in school despite many hardships. Her future was bright as she graduated valedictorian of her high school class and received a full scholarship to George Washington University in Washington, D.C. No one expected the turn her life would take, which included becoming a single mother at the age of 20, marrying a man facing life in prison and entering the witness security program. She surrendered everything she had worked hard to accomplished…all for love.
Unfortunately, the marriage became abusive and Sharonda found herself faced with the same tough decisions her mom faced. The generational cycles were repeating and Sharonda was at a crossroad. One path led to a life enduring the pain that was familiar and the other included the fear of starting over. She made her decision but the life she faced, she was not ready to live.
Throughout her childhood and into adulthood, Sharonda suffered from depression, anxiety and low self-confidence though it was masked by her academic achievements in school. The adults she encountered, she tried to please. Often taken advantage of and for granted, Sharonda attempted to find her way through the darkest periods of her life.
Purposed Nevertheless
After becoming a single mother at the age of 20, Sharonda became even more focused on graduating from college even if it meant working fulltime during the day and going to class each evening. When recalling this time in her life, Sharonda’s only regret is the amount of time with her son she had to sacrifice.
She graduated from college with a degrees in architectural engineering and architecture but what should have been a joyous time in her life, was overshadowed by abuse and domestic violence. After her first marriage ended, Sharonda returned home to the D.C. area and tried to get her life back on track. Unfortunately, she still had not gained understanding of her worth and continued to pursue relationships that left her suffering in silence.
In 2006, she gave birth to her first daughter and in her daughter’s eyes, she began to see herself. Everything changed.
Her life was finally turning around. Sharonda was reminded of her faith. She began attending Spirit of Faith Christian Center under the covering of Apostle Michael Freeman and for the first time, started to experience the hope, joy, and peace that comes from a relationship with Jesus.
Family
Sharonda is blessed with the gift of being mom to three wonderful, bright and beautiful people, Donaven, Maya and Makiya.
In 2019, her heart grew larger as she became a grandmother to Zion. Throughout her book, Nevertheless: Peace In Spite of Pain, Sharonda shares her longing for a family and the trials of attempting to fill the void of abandonment with relationships that proved to be more hurtful than helpful.
Sharonda allowed love and forgiveness to fill her heart and to replace the void of what was missing. It is her faith and her belief that love conquers that allows her to count it all joy.
Service
While Sharonda’s childhood was not without challenges, she recognizes that she received a tremendous amount of support from people who donated time and energy to help her along the way. Sharonda has worked to give back to her community and to youth who are experiencing challenges similar to the ones she lived.
She has volunteered as a Big Sister with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization and with various community organizations over the years.
In 2012, Sharonda served as a mentor with the Department of Parks and Recreation for the Prince George’s County in Maryland and then as the program facilitator for their Pearl Program for Girls. Later, she founded the Little Phoenixes Foundation, an organization that provides programs based in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics to children living in low-income communities. The Little Phoenixes Foundation serves communities in Washington, D.C, and the Prince George’s County in Maryland and provides after-school and summer programs at no cost to children.
Ministry
In 2014, Sharonda was blessed to be invited to a meeting, but not just any meeting, that that would change her way of living, loving and riding. She joined the Kingdom Knights Motorcycle Ministry, a ministry family of The Sanctuary at Kingdom Square under the covering of Bishop Anthony Maclin and leadership of Lydell “Hustleman” Hagans.
When most people see a biker, donning the leather biker-attire, the first thought that comes to mind is not how much they love the Lord. This is why the motorcycle ministry is unique and impactful. The Kingdom Knights Motorcycle Ministry has a mother chapter located in Maryland and two additional chapters located in Ohio and North Carolina.
Sharonda has traveled hundreds of miles on her motorcycles over the years, venturing to Canada with the Knights and accomplishing two IRON BUTT milestones by enduring both a 1,000 mile and 1,500 mile journey in 24 and 36 hours respectively. Her riding name is Phoenix, which she chose because of her rebirth and coming out the ashes of life bigger, bolder and stronger.
She is currently riding an Indian Chieftain Darkhorse and serves as the Chaplain for the Kingdom Knights.
